Gloves with reinforcing elements and methods for making same

Abstract

A reinforced glove includes a substrate, typically in the form of a shell having the shape of a human hand, and a protective coating disposed on the substrate to form a composite therewith. The shell and any integral or non-integral reinforcing elements are at least partially covered by the protective coating, which penetrates such reinforcing elements to thereby improve the bond between the shell and reinforcing elements, whereby the durability, strength and grippability of the glove are enhanced.

1 . A reinforced glove, comprising a shell in the shape of a hand, said shell having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, at least one of said sides being reinforced over at least a portion thereof to thereby form a reinforced portion of said shell, and a coating applied to said shell so as to at least partially cover said shell and said reinforced portion thereof. 
   
   
       2 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said shell has an unreinforced portion which is at least partially covered by said coating, said coated reinforced portion having a characteristic which distinguishes said coated reinforced portion from said coated unreinforced portion. 
   
   
       3 . The glove of  claim 2 , wherein said characteristic is visually perceptible. 
   
   
       4 . The glove of  claim 2 , wherein said characteristic tactilely perceptible. 
   
   
       5 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said reinforced portion of said shell is formed integrally with said shell. 
   
   
       6 . The glove of  claim 5 , wherein said shell is formed by a plurality of elements made from a first material and said reinforced portion of said shell is at least partially formed by reinforcing elements made from a second material that is more durable than said first material. 
   
   
       7 . The glove of  claim 6 , wherein said shell has a knit construction and said reinforcing elements are knitted into said shell. 
   
   
       8 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said reinforced portion of said shell is formed by an independent reinforcing element attached to said shell by said coating. 
   
   
       9 . A reinforced, multi-layered glove, comprising a shell in the shape of a hand, said shell defining a first layer and having a palm side and a back side; a second layer applied to said first layer so as to reinforce at least a portion thereof; and a third layer applied as a coating so as to at least partially cover said first and second layers. 
   
   
       10 . The glove of  claim 9 , wherein said second layer is applied to only a portion of said first layer, whereby said shell has a reinforced portion and an unreinforced portion, said reinforced portion of said shell being completely covered by said third layer and said unreinforced portion of said shell being partially covered by said third layer, said coated reinforced portion having a characteristic which distinguishes said coated reinforced portion from said coated unreinforced portion. 
   
   
       11 . The glove of  claim 10 , wherein said third layer penetrates said second layer and contacts said first layer over at least a portion of said reinforced portion of said shell, whereby said third layer is bonded to both said first layer and said second layer. 
   
   
       12 . The glove of  claim 10 , wherein said second layer has a first surface, which is positioned adjacent to said first layer, a second surface, which is opposite said first surface and which is positioned remote from said first layer, and a peripheral edge between said first and second surfaces. 
   
   
       13 . The glove of  claim 12 , wherein said peripheral edge of said second layer is enveloped by said third layer. 
   
   
       14 . The glove of  claim 9 , wherein said second layer has an open construction. 
   
   
       15 . The glove of  claim 14 , wherein said second layer is made from a fabric. 
   
   
       16 . The glove of  claim 14 , wherein said second layer has a plurality of openings extending from said first surface thereof to said second surface thereof, said plurality of openings permitting said liquid coating agent to flow therethrough. 
   
   
       17 . The glove of  claim 16 , wherein said third layer forms bonds within said openings of said second layer, whereby said second and third layers are inhibited from folding onto themselves when the glove is in use. 
   
   
       18 . The glove of  claim 9 , wherein said second layer. includes a plurality of reinforcing elements, whereby said shell has a plurality of reinforced portions. 
   
   
       19 . The glove of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of said reinforcing elements is positioned on said palm side of said shell and wherein at least one of said reinforcing elements is positioned on said back side of said shell. 
   
   
       20 . The glove of  claim 18 , wherein at least some of said reinforcing elements are positioned on said palm side of said shell at spaced-apart locations thereon, said at least some of said reinforcing elements being attached together by connecting strips. 
   
   
       21 . The glove of  claim 9 , wherein said first and second layers are made from flexible material, said second layer having at least one pressure relief area formed therein so as to enhance the flexibility of said second layer. 
   
   
       22 . The glove of  claim 21 , wherein said third layer is formed by a liquid coating agent having elastic properties when cured, whereby said first and second layers remain flexible after they are at least partially covered by said third layer. 
   
   
       23 . A reinforced glove, comprising a shell in the shape of a hand, said shell having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, at least one of said sides being reinforced over a portion thereof to thereby form a reinforced portion and an unreinforced portion, and a coating applied to said shell so as to at least partially cover said reinforced and unreinforced portions thereof, said coated reinforced portion having a characteristic which distinguishes said coated reinforced portion from said coated unreinforced portion. 
   
   
       24 . The glove of  claim 23 , wherein said characteristic is visually perceptible. 
   
   
       25 . The glove of  claim 23 , wherein said characteristic tactilely perceptible.